Thinking out loud

[JAZZCNC]

Didn't realise until seen boyan's post that the machine is inside house in small room. The answer to this problem is simple.?? Go
V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L

Vertical machine saves massive amount of space and still allows large cutting area. Also because of gravity most the chips fall away to bottom so it's much easier to keep clean. Very easy to build a enclosure around it, Esp if on end wall with two walls either side. Basicly think Wardrobe.?
In tight space trapped between two walls it's easier to load and access material because have full access to cutting area.

There are NO disadvantages to vertical machine only positives and some like longer tool life and better finish are very welcome. Also great if like me you suffer from back pain because no more bent over large machine.!!

[johnsattuk]

There are NO disadvantages to vertical machine .!!

Do you use/need a brake or c/balance on the Y carriage

[JAZZCNC]

Do you use/need a brake or c/balance on the Y carriage

Depends on which way gantry is positioned and in both cases while motors are powered up then No provided motors are sized correctly.

(I'll call the actual Gantry Y axis and the moving carriage across it X axis.)
If the Y axis moves L to R then the motor Detent and resistance from screw is often enough to hold the X axis while motors not powered.

If the Y axis travels Up/Down then yes you'll need either counter balance or like I used to do on my old machine is always park it upto a bump stop when finished cutting and powering down motors. While cutting or when motors are energised then no it's normaly not needed.

My current machine uses a counter balance but this mostly because I inerited the machine and the motors are under powered for the weight of the gantry which is quite heavy when positioned verticly. So I needed to balance the weight to help the motors while cutting. On my last machine that did have correct sized motors this wasn't needed while cutting.
Even thou I don't need to I still tend to park the Gantry against hard stop when being left for long period to remove pressure from the screws and couplings etc.